Second Loughborough mental health survey reveals still far too many barriers to good mental health care

Nicky Morgan MP promises to take up issues with local and national health bodies

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan has released the results of her second mental health survey. The survey was launched by mental health campaigner and well-known entertainer Ruby Wax at a Loughborough Wellbeing Café earlier this year.

The results have given an interesting insight into what residents think of mental health services locally. Those taking part included those facing their own mental health challenges who use local services as well as carers and those who have family or friends who have suffered with poor mental health.

The survey revealed:

Those responding to the survey had experience of using over 30 local services.

Mental health users felt that therapies such as CBT and counselling were the most useful and important for their recovery.

Many expressed concern that referrals to other services from GPs took too long.

Many worry that medication alone is seen to be the answer.

Over 90% of respondents felt that the needs of people with poor mental health are not being met by services in the local area. They wanted to see services based closer to home, more community services, more staff and treatment happening more quickly.

Respondents identified the barriers to accessing good mental health support in Charnwood as including lack of effective communication between different groups and services, lack of funding, and stigma surrounding poor mental health.

In terms of the best way to access services the top preference was one to one access at a fixed appointment and the second preference was by dropping into a location at a time that suits patients.

The results revealed that many service users felt that a dedicated telephone line where they could access specialist help would be a valuable addition to mental health services locally as well as group therapy or more support groups.

The recent Queen’s Speech, which sets out the Government’s forthcoming legislative programme, contained a commitment that the Government would reform mental health legislation and ensure that mental health is prioritised in the National Health Service in England.

Commenting on the survey, Nicky said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in my second mental health survey. The responses are very useful and provide a valuable insight into what works well locally as well as areas that need improvement.

“I was particularly interested to read the feedback regarding a specialist telephone line. It is also encouraging to hear that community services such as the Wellbeing Café are supported and appreciated.

“I will be sharing the results from my survey with our local NHS services who I met earlier this year to discuss CAMHs services and I recently visited our local dedicated CAMHs Eating Disorder Service to talk to staff, patients and their families. I will also raise the findings with the Health Secretary and Ministers in national Government.

“I was also pleased to be able to raise mental health funding with the Prime Minister in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 5th July.”